The CR-V Is Popular, But This Underrated SUV Is The Better Buy

9 minutes reading

Sunday, 16 Aug 2026 22:00 0 6 autotech

For years, the Honda CR-V has been the safe answer for anyone shopping for a compact SUV. It’s practical, reliable, efficient, and one of America’s best-selling vehicles for good reason. But popularity doesn’t always mean there’s nothing better waiting just outside the spotlight. Hidden among the segment’s familiar names is an SUV that delivers a more premium interior, a more engaging driving experience, and the kind of refinement that makes every commute feel a little more special. If you’re shopping for more than just practicality, it may be time to look beyond the obvious choice.

Table of Contents

The Best-Selling SUV Isn’t Always The One Owners Love Most

Honda Sold 400,000 CR-Vs Last Year — Here’s What That Number Doesn’t Tell You

Front 3/4 shot of 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid parked

Honda

The Difference Between A Best Seller And A Better Buy

Interior shot of the 2026 Mazda CX-50’s front seats

The CR-V is certainly a top-seller and one of the most popular compact SUVs on the market. It’s an easy SUV to shop for because you know what you’re going to get thanks to its reputation, longstanding popularity, and brand recognition. Still, the Honda SUV might not have the driving refinement, engaging experience, or long-term ownership value that you’re looking for in your next vehicle. One SUV brings more driving enjoyment, a refined cabin, and excellent long-term ownership value that could make it a better option than the CR-V for buyers who prioritize the driving experience as much as the ownership benefits.

Why The Mazda CX-50 Feels More Premium Than Most Compact SUVs

It Still Delivers One Of The Best Driving Experiences In The Segment

Front 3/4 action shot of 2026 Mazda CX-50 driving off-road

The Mazda CX-50 leans heavily into the driving experience with precise steering, impressive suspension tuning, and standard AWD. A turbocharged engine is available, adding power and making it much more enjoyable to drive than most SUVs. The SkyActiv engine tuning delivers maximum torque at lower rpm than most other engines, improving the driving experience.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder model that sends 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. Turbocharged models have the same engine size but produce 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque (256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet on premium 93-octane fuel). There’s also a hybrid setup that produces 219 horsepower and delivers increased fuel efficiency of 39 city/37 highway mpg.

Overhead shot of a 2026 Mazda CX-50’s engine

The Honda CR-V begins with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, which makes more power than the base CX-50 powertrain, sending 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque to the wheels. Above that is a hybrid powertrain that generates 204 horsepower.

A base Honda CR-V can reach 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, which is slightly quicker than a base CX-50, which takes 8.4 seconds. Going to the turbocharged powertrain, this time is reduced to 6.4 seconds, making it much quicker off the line than the Honda.

The CR-V Beats The CX-50 On Cargo Space, Fuel Economy, And Base Price

Shot of 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid interior showing seats

There’s no denying the Honda CR-V is one of the most popular and highest-rated compact SUVs available. Compared to the Mazda CX-50, the CR-V offers more cargo volume behind the rear seats (39.3 cubic feet vs. 31.4 cubic feet) and more cargo room overall (76.5 cubic feet vs. 56.3 cubic feet). The CR-V is also more efficient, offering 28 city/33 highaway mpg with the base powertrain compared to 24 city/30 highway mpg for the base CX-50. The base version of the CR-V is an FWD vehicle, and drivers can choose that option if desired.

Why The CX-50 Still Makes More Sense For Certain Buyers

Interior shot of a 2026 Mazda CX-50 showing driver’s side cabin

The Honda CR-V is easy to recommend, but it is not the right answer for every buyer. If your priorities include a premium-feeling cabin, confident handling, standard all-wheel drive, and an SUV that feels composed and engaging on every drive, the Mazda CX-50 makes a compelling case.

Its available turbocharged engine adds effortless passing power, while its upscale materials and quieter interior create an experience that feels closer to an entry-level luxury SUV than a typical compact crossover. Families who need maximum cargo space or the fuel savings of a hybrid will likely be happier with the CR-V, though buyerswho value refinement and driving enjoyment over outright practicality may find the CX-50 to be the more rewarding vehicle to own. But before committing, there’s one question most buyers forget to ask: which one will still feel like the right choice after 100,000 miles?

Reliability, Recalls, And What Buyers Should Know Before Choosing Either SUV

Both SUVs Have Strong Reliability Reputations—But Neither Is Perfect

Rear 3/4 shot of a gray 2026 Mazda CX-50 parked in front of building

Mazda has quietly built one of the strongest reputations for reliability in the mainstream market, and the CX-50 benefits from proven mechanical components rather than an all-new powertrain. Most models use the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine paired with Mazda’s well-established six-speed automatic transmission, both of which have demonstrated strong long-term durability. Just as importantly, Mazda ranked above the industry average in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for building vehicles that remain dependable well beyond the warranty period.

Side profile shot of a grey 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid driving in the rain

The Honda CR-V has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way—through years of dependable service and consistently strong owner satisfaction. Whether equipped with the turbocharged or the hybrid system, today’s CR-V is built on a mature platform that has proven itself in real-world use.

Honda continues to be one of the industry’s resale-value leaders. The CR-V’s long-term durability is reflected in its consistently high reliability ratings, and Honda also finished above the industry average in the 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. With routine maintenance, either powertrain is capable of delivering well over 200,000 miles, which helps explain why the CR-V remains one of the safest long-term ownership choices in its class.

The Recalls And Known Issues Buyers Shouldn’t Ignore

Front 3/4 shot of a blue 2026 Mazda CX-50 driving through city

The 2026 CX-50 has avoided any widespread engine or transmission problems, but buyers should still check that all recall work has been completed. Recent recalls have included an airbag control module software update, a limited trailer hitch mounting issue on certain equipped vehicles, and a front suspension fastener recall affecting a small number of 2025 models. None of these campaigns point to a systemic mechanical reliability concern.

Rear 3/4 shot of 2026 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid parked off-road

The current CR-V also has a strong reliability record, though it’s not completely free of issues. Earlier 1.5-liter turbo models were known for oil-dilution concerns, while some newer CR-Vs have been subject to recalls involving steering components and fuel-system parts. As with any vehicle, new or used, verifying that recall repairs have been completed is one of the smartest steps before buying.

Which Buyers Will Be Happiest Choosing The Mazda CX-50?

The CX-50 Is Built For Drivers Who Want Standard AWD, A Refined Cabin, And Real Towing Capability

The same buyers who enjoy the Honda CR-V will also enjoy the CX-50, but for different reasons. Drivers looking for a compact SUV that’s much more engaging, fun to drive, and quicker off the line will lean toward the CX-50. Additionally, drivers looking for an SUV with AWD as a standard feature will choose the Mazda over the CR-V. The CX-50 has excellent highway comfort and supportive seating, and turbocharged models can tow up to 3,500 pounds, compared to 1,500 pounds for the CR-V.

The Verdict: The CR-V Is The Smarter Choice For Some Buyers—The CX-50 Is The More Rewarding Choice For Others

There’s a reason the Honda CR-V continues to sit near the top of the compact SUV segment: it excels at the things most buyers value, including practicality, efficiency, and everyday usability. But if your idea of the perfect SUV includes a cabin that feels a step above the competition, standard all-wheel drive, and a driving experience that makes even routine errands more enjoyable, the Mazda CX-50 deserves a closer look. It may never outsell the CR-V, but for buyers who value refinement and character as much as cargo space, this underrated crossover ultimately delivers the more rewarding ownership experience—and that is what makes it the better buy.